Annan hails new law enfranchising women in Kuwait

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed a new law in Kuwait which enfranchises women and advances gender equality in the country.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the passing by Majlis al-Umma, Kuwait’s legislative body, of a law granting women for the first time the right to vote and run for parliament,” a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released in New York.

The statement also congratulated the people of Kuwait “on this historic step.”